This Week in Gardening & Nature

two dozen Lantana flowers in ywllow, orange, red colors

Plant of the Week: Lantana. This tropical can be overwintered indoors. Winter 2025-26 will be our third winter with beautiful indoor Lanatana flowers when it’s dreary outside.

Tuesday, August 26th, Application Deadline for FEMA assistance for St. Louis tornado

Learn about pressure canning, boiling water bath canning, steam canning, dehydration, and freezing your garden harvests and farmers market buys at University of Missouri Food Preservation Online Class. $30. Register

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more.

St. Louis Master Gardeners Horticulture Answer Service: Monday through Thursday from 9 am. to 2:30 pm

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: St. Louis Native Plant Swap’s Fall Swap in Kirkwood, Sustainable Backyard Network Fall Fest Sustainability Fair & Native Plant Sale, 2026 STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center

Find a Native Plant/Seed vendor in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas,… (Grow Native)

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

8 Native Sunflowers That Support Pollinators and Birds (Wild Ones)

Grow fruit trees in small spaces with the trick known as espalier (Associated Press)

The Mimosa Webworm in Missouri (University of Missouri Extension)

5 Places You Should Never Plant Hostas, According to Gardening Experts (Martha Stewart)

When Advocacy Fails: Lessons from the Loss of Bell Bowl Prairie to Chicago Rockford International Airport expansion (Wild Ones)

The unseen harvest: Pesticides, cancer and rural Missouri’s health crisis. The counties with the highest use of pesticides per square mile are all located in Missouri’s Bootheel. Many of these counties have some of the state’s highest cancer rates and their health care options are dwindling. (Investigate Midwest)

Pesticide politics: Inside the corporate push to limit liability. As lawsuits over Roundup’s safety mount, Bayer has launched a multi-state lobbying effort to limit its legal liability. (Investigate Midwest)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How To, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials. I will continue promoting the online resources and activities of Seed St. Louis where appropriate. I will not, however, knowingly promote events at Maxine Clark’s school privatization campus named Delmar Divine. It is unfortunate that Seed St. Louis is now a tenant there.

Growing Vegetables Advice: Begin with a Plan, Seed Starting, Soil Management, Weed Management, Hardening Off Indoor Seedlings, Season Extension, Supporting Plants, Pest Management, Fertilizing Your Garden, Irrigation, Garden Tool Care, Container Gardens, more (University of Illinois Extension)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

Free Native Garden Designs @ Wild Ones. There’s one specific to St. Louis, one for Chicago, one for Denver, …

Native plant gardening in a pot. Missouri Botanical Garden has container designs for sun and shade.

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees, Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant, Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Fall Color Reports: Illinois and Missouri

Going on now Brightside St. Louis Blooming Soon! Tulip & Daffodil Bulb Sale. 30 bulbs only $18: Brightside’s “Midwest Mix” Daffodils – a selection of 6 varieties of fine daffodils chosen by the Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society; Carlton Daffodils; “Brightside Red” hybrid Darwin Tulips; Pink Impression hybrid Darwin Tulips. Order now for October pick up October 10th-11th at Forest Park Greenhouse or pay for mailing.

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
August 23rd Bevo. Register
September 6th Hyde Park. Register
September 7th Forest Park Southeast. Register
September 13th Tower Grove East. Register
September 13th Benton Park West. Register
September 20th Old North. Register
September 20th Benton Park. Register
September 21st Shaw. Register
September 27th Bevo. Register

Friday, August 29th, Deadline to submit entries for Wild Ones Photo Contest. Categories: Living Things, Home Landscapes, Signs of Spring, Events

Now thru Friday, August 29th, St. Louis City Public Library Art Exhibit at Schlafly Library: Sun Liu: Thousand Years Brilliant–Flowers & Birds from Song Dynasty

Sunday, August 31st, Deadline to submit entries for Missouri River Birds Observatory 10th Annual Bird Photography Contest. Prizes $100 to $1000. $25 Entry Fee per photo.

Now thru Sunday, August 31st, St. Louis Public Library Art Exhibit at Buder Library: Carolyn LewisEmpowering Our Community, Fifty Empowerment Birds created using fabric, dried paint palettes, and dictionary pages from the 1940’s.

Now thru March 31st, 2026, Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden: Smelling the Bouquet- Plants & Scents in the Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

September 1st Deadline to enter 12th Annual Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest. Categories: Natural Resources, Unique Places, People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors

September 30th Deadline to participate in University of Missouri Extension Online St. Louis City & County Gardening Needs Assessments Survey

November 15th Deadline for Wild Ones’ Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program. Open to schools, nature center, after-school care programs, community centers or youth groups in need of funding for a native garden or habitat, projects such as pollinator gardens, rain gardens to improve water quality, tallgrass prairies, native plant monarch waystations featuring community science activities, and sensory and natural playgrounds.

November 15th Deadline to enter Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest sponsored by Missouri State Parks and Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ Rural Missouri magazine. Categories: Parks Less Traveled, Adventure & Recreation, Park Heroes & Volunteers at Work, Learning Something New, On the Trail

—– DAILY —–

7 am Monday, August 25th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Sunrise Stroll with Master Guide. 2 mile walk over moderate terrain. $5 Donation suggested. Register

5:30 pm Monday, August 25th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. 2 mile walk over moderate terrain. $5 Donation suggested. Register

Monday, August 25th Deadline to order native plants from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up August 30th at Kirkwood Farmers Market. You may also purchase from what they bring.

6 pm Monday, August 25th, University of Missouri Extension Workshop at EarthDance Organic Teaching Farm, Ferguson MO: Twilight Farm Tour – Integrated Pest Management for small farmers. $10. Register

9:30 am to 3:30 pm Tuesday, August 26th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Tour, Hike, and Swim at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, East Fork of the Black River, Reynolds County in St. Francois Mountains. Two hour drive from St. Louis. Register 

1 pm Tuesday, August 26th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual program: Dragonflies, The Sky’s Apex Predators. Register

21 Seats remaining. 10 am Wednesday, August 27th, Missouri Conservation Department program at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Bobcats. Register

4 pm Wednesday, August 27th, Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Take a (Virtual) Hike on the Prairie – Summer Edition, Penn-Sylvania in Dade County. Register

For Kids ages 0-7 years. 18 Seats remaining. 10:30 am Thursday, August 28th, Missouri Conservation Department program at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Aqua Adventures. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, August 28th, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival event at Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Free

7 pm Thursday, August 28th, join Piasa Palisades Sierra Club at Illinois Commerce Commission Public Forum on Ameren Gas Rate Hike at East St Louis, IL.

7 pm Friday, August 29th, Missouri Conservation Department program at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Conservation Trivia Under the Stars. Register

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, August 30th, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling native plants at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order in advance for pick up or purchase from what they bring.

9 am Saturday, August 30th, Urban Harvest STL workshop at Grandel Square Center for Urban Agriculture: DIY Compost Tumbler Class. You will be responsible for transporting the barrel to your site. $10. Register

6:30 pm Saturday, August 30th, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival event at  Carondelet Park, Bandstand: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Free

September 2nd Ordering Begins for Missouri Conservation Annual Tree Seedling Sale. Order early for best selection, some trees and shrubs sell out first day. Orders ship out in Spring.

6:30 pm September 2nd St. Louis Shakespeare Festival event at January-Wabash Park, Ferguson: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Free

9 am September 3rd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Arboretum Tour – Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Donation suggested. Register

10 am September 3rd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5 Donation suggested. Register

Just a two hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City. 4-7 pm September 4th University of Missouri Extension event at Jefferson Farm, Columbia: Tomato Festival

For Kids ages 7+ years. 25 Tickets remaining. 5 pm September 4th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Monarch Caterpillar Bracelets. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 6 pm September 5th Missouri Conservation Department Hike at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Moonrise/Sunset Walk to the Confluence. Register

8 am to Noon September 6th Fox Park Garden Tour. Free. Register

9 am to 1 pm September 6th Missouri Conservation Department event at Lincoln University’s Carver Farm, Jefferson City: Invasive Species Workshop. Register

9 am to 5 pm September 6th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9:30 am to 3 pm September 6th Film Screening Day for “Big Medicine: York Outdoors,” a documentary on York, an enslaved servant of William Clark, at Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Madison County, Illinois

10 am September 6th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5 Donation suggested. Register

5 Tickets remaining. 1 pm September 6th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Leaf ID and Leaf Prints, canvas tote bag craft. Register

6:30 pm September 7th St. Louis Shakespeare Festival event at Fairground Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Free

9 am September 9th The Nature Institute hiking event at Godfrey, Illinois: Roaming Naturalists, Native Fall Fruits Hike. Register

1-4 pm September 9th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Oak Trees. $15 Donation suggested. Register

6 pm September 9th University of Missouri Extension Virtual Class: Cover Crops & Soil Health for Vegetable Gardens. $10. Register

6 pm September 9th The Nature Institute class at Godfrey, Illinois: Plant Identification Workshop. Learn basic plant anatomy, field guide instruction, Illinois wildflower identification. $25 fee includes copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. Register

9 am September 10th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Arboretum Tour – Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Donation suggested. Register

4 pm September 10th Missouri Prairie Foundation Wetlands Webinar Series: Wiski/Oski (River Cane)- A Keystone Species in the Floodplain and in Chickasaw Culture. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am September 11th Heartlands Conservancy event at Poag Sand Prairie, Edwardsville, IL: Monarch Tagging and Stewardship Day presented by Kent H. Sanmann, Natural Resources Instructor, The College of the Muscogee Nation. Register

3-5 pm September 11th St. Louis Public Library event at Baden Library: Mums the Word, Fall Garden Gathering

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am September 12th Heartlands Conservancy event at Exploration Garden, Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, IL: Monarch Tagging and Stewardship Day. Register

5 pm September 12th Audubon Center at Riverlands event at West Alton, Missouri: Riverlands Wellness- Bikes, Birds, & Brews. $20. Register

6:30 pm September 7th St. Louis Shakespeare Festival event at  Saint Louis Art Museum Sculpture Garden: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Free

8 am to Noon September 13th Edwardsville IL Garden Club Plant Sale at St. Mary’s Church Parking Lot

9 am to Noon September 13th St. Charles Mo Master Gardeners event in St. Peters: In The Garden 2025, Fall Session-  Planting Garlic, Prepping & Planting Fall & Spring Bulbs, Fall Lawn Renovation and Maintenance. $20. Register

9 am to 1 pm September 13th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godftey, Illinois

11 am September 13th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens August 16th

1 pm September 13th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Mad About Mushrooms

2:30 pm September 13th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Fascinating Victorian Gardens

2:30 pm September 13th The Nature Institute hike in Godfrey, Illinois: Bird Hike with educators from Audubon Center at Riverlands. $5. Register

9:30 am to 12:30 pm September 14th St. Louis Native Plant Swap’s Fall Swap at 722 Delchester Ln, KirkwoodOnly native plants/cuttings/seeds. Write name on plants. Prefer bare roots to avoid spreading jumpworms. This is a FB event that someone sent me information on but I don’t share FB links.

1-4 pm September 14th Oratorio STL Workshop at St. Francis de Sales Oratory: Courtyard Urbanism: Building Cities for Families. Register

6:30 pm September 14th St. Louis Shakespeare Festival event at  Love Bank, Cherokee Street: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Free

10 am September 17th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5 Donation suggested. Register

2 pm September 17th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Missouri Native Trees and Shrubs for Urban Landscapes. Register

6 pm September 18th Wild Ones Webinar: EcoBeneficial Landscape Strategies for the Climate Crisis. Register

10 am September 20th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Arboretum Trolley Tour with Horticulturist. $5 Donation suggested. Register

10 am to 1 pm September 20th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

10 am to Noon September 20th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Annual Meeting & Awards Bruncheon at SqWires. Free MCE members; $45 for non-members. Register/Join

10 am to 2 pm September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Expo at Tower Grove Park. Missouri Wildflower Nursery and other vendors will be selling but you can also order plants for pick up at the event.

6:30 pm September 23th Illinois Sierra Club Virtual Workshop: Clean Energy for our Communities, status of wind and solar energy throughout Illinois. Register

3:30-6:30 pm September 25th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, Crestwood

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, September 26th-27th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

9 am to Noon September 27th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

10 am September 27th St. Louis County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Oak Bend Branch. Refreshments.

10 am to 1 pm September 27th Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration at Mississippi Greenway

10 am to 3 pm September 27th Missouri Pollinator Network Pollinator Palooza at Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center, St. Charles MO. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery and other native plant vendors will be selling there.

11 am and 1 pm September 27th Missouri Botanical Garden concert at Sachs Museum: Musical Scents- Voices in the Garden, performances by Benedetta Orsi and St. Louis Women’s Chorale. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

11 am to 4 pm September 27th STL Seeding Frenzy’s Homesteaders Hoedown, Exchange & Tool Swap at Watson Trail Park, Sunset Hills

1 pm September 27th St. Louis County Library Plant Swap at Grand Glaize Branch, Manchester

4-7 pm September 27th Forest ReLeaf Fundraiser: Arbormeisters

14 Tickets available. 8:30 am September 28th St. Louis Audubon Society event at Tower Grove Park: Beginner Bird Walk. Register

1:30 pm September 30th University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Be a Seed Shaker: Which Are Worth Saving? Register

10 am October 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5 Donation suggested. Register

2 pm October 1st Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: St. Louis Native Plants in a Changing Climate. Register

October 3rd-5th Best of Missouri Market at Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is usually a vendor and this is last opportunity to purchase native plants in St. Louis City for the year. Admission Fee applies.

10 am to 3 pm October 4th Willoughby Farm’s Fall Farm Day at Collinsville, Illinois. $3 per person.

Noon to 4 pm October 4th Benton Park Neighborhood Association event: Benton Park Tunes on Tap – A Musical Garden Tour. Six home gardens. Live music and drinks from local breweries. Tickets $35 General Admission, $65 VIP. Advance sales end September 14th. Register

1 pm October 4th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: How Indigenous People Used Native Plants for Their Health and Well-Being

October 5th-6th Baker Creek Fall Harvest Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

11 am October 11th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens September 13th

11 am and 1 pm October 11th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum: Poetry and Scents, the poetry of Devin Johnston. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

10 am to 2 pm October 12th Sustainable Backyard Network Fall Fest Sustainability Fair & Native Plant Sale at Garden Chapel Sanctuary, St. Louis CountyEvent isn’t under their calendar, scroll down link for the event flyer

4:30-9:30 pm October 14th The Royale & Missouri Botanical Gardens’s Show Me Your Harvest Cocktail Competition 2025 at The Royale. Tickets $45. Register

2 pm October 15th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Native Gardening Maintenance Tips, Tricks and Hacks. Register

6-9 pm October 17th Urban Harvest Raise the Roof fundraiser at Sally’s Rooftop Garden & Terrace, Grand Center. Tickets $60.54. Register

9 am October 18th Seed St. Louis Garlic & Shallot Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Also selling overwintering cover crop seeds and Dig Annuals & Perennials will be selling perennials, shrubs, trees.

10 am to Noon October 18th Forest Releaf event at Scott Jopling House: Persimmon Festival and Tree Distribution

1:30 pm October 21st University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Reclaiming Runaway Landscapes. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, October 24th-25th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

5-8 pm October 25th Seed St. Louis event at Bell Community Garden: Fair on the Farm & Chili Cook Off

1 pm November 1st St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Decorating with Herbs

11 am November 8th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens October 11th

November 15th to January 3rd Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Emerson Conservatory: Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

1 pm December 6th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Preventing Winter Plant Damage

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, December 12th-13th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

11 am December 13th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens November 15th

11 am to 4 pm January 24th 15th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 South Lindbergh Blvd. Seed Swap, Vendors, Raffle. Lable seeds. If you do not have seeds to swap, donate non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear for charity. This is a FB event that someone sent me information on but I don’t share FB links.

Join us Sundays on Bluesky for #GardenSunday.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Englemann Prickly Pear

Plant of the Week: Prickly Pear Cactus. This is a photo of an Englemann Prickly Pear in Zion National Park, Utah. Eastern Prickly Pear is native to Missouri and most U.S. states as well as Ontario, Canada.

February 28th Deadline to apply for Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s High School Student Environmental Action Award

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar. Start Indoors This Week: Boy Choy, Eggplant, Lettuce

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Plant Sale at Washington University, Grow Native! Plant Sale at Wild Bird Sanctuary, placeholder for Flora Conservancy Plant Sale 

Sign up for Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s Legislative Bill Tracker

Visit a rainforest in St. Louis on a winter day: Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

Find a Native Plant/Seed vendor in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas,… (Grow Native)

St. Louis Master Gardeners Horticulture Answer Service: Monday through Thursday from 9 am. to 2:30 pm

March 17th Registration Opens for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program in 17 cities

April 15th Deadine to Nominate for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Action Award

Illinois School Teachers- March 2025 Application process begins for 2026 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

‘Moss Appreciation Week’: a lot of celebration for a very little plant (NPR)

What Groundhogs Know About Seasonal Gardening That You Don’t (Wild Ones)

2023 Broccoli Variety Trial Results (Seed St. Louis)

Interest in ‘backyard chickens’ spikes in St. Louis area amid egg shortage, price hikes. Expert say, however, it likely isn’t a cost-effective way to combat rising prices at the grocery store. (KMOV, St. Louis)

Missouri’s grocery shelves feel impact of bird flu. Egg prices are expected to increase by 20% in 2025, largely due to the spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza. (The Beacon, Kansas City)

Missouri House bill would tax ag land used for renewable energy (Columbia Missourian)

Arkansas’ Buffalo River watershed squabble a ‘long, hard battle,’ advocate says (Arkansas Advocate)

Study shows ash disposal at Iowa coal plants leads to contaminated groundwater. Environmental groups push for the closure of coal plants; MidAmerican disputes findings (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Kentucky Senate approves bill removing state protections for wetlands, groundwater, small streams (Kentucky Lantern)

Missouri soybean research project shuts down as Trump cuts off funding. As part of the project, Missouri has been doing research on ways to help farmers combat diseases that can decimate soybean crops (Missouri Independent)

University of Illinois soybean lab’s pending closure due to USAID cuts hinders global disease research. Lab was part of network studying red leaf blotch, which could potentially decimate the crop (Capital News Illinois)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How To, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials. I will continue promoting the online resources and activities of Seed St. Louis where appropriate. I will not, however, knowingly promote events at Maxine Clark’s school privatization campus named Delmar Divine. It is unfortunate that Seed St. Louis is now a tenant there.

Free Native Garden Designs @ Wild Ones. There’s one specific to St. Louis, one for Chicago, one for Denver, …

Native plant gardening in a pot. Missouri Botanical Garden has container designs for sun and shade.

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees, Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant, Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events —

Now thru February 28th Photo Exhibit at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood:  Rugged Spirit, Photographs of Scott Lawrence Angus

Now thru March 4th event at Sachs Butterfly House, Faust Park, Chesterfield: Morpho Mardi Gras- Bugs, Rhythm, & Blues. Fee applies

6-8 pm Wednesdays, February 26th-April 2rd, Forest ReLeaf’s TreeKeepers Introductory Tree Course 2025. Register

6-8 pm Tuesdays, March 11 to April 15, Heartlands Conservancy free six-week course in Belleville, Illinois: Tree Stewards Training. Classes in Tree Biology & Benefits, Tree Identification, Insects & Diseases, Pruning & Maintenance, Forest Ecology, Urban Tree Community Advocacy. Register

6:30 pm Monday, February 17th, Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Everything’s Connected- A closer look at the importance of predators and scavengers in their ecosystems presented by Jennifer Rader, Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife. Register

2 pm Wednesday, February 19th, Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Front Yard Raingardens. Register

2 pm Thursday, February 20th, St. Louis County Library Black History Month event at Meramec Valley Branch: Fannie Lou Hamer: Seeds of Change. Learn about Fannie Lou Hamer and her work for food justice and start some seeds for your garden. Register

6 pm Thursday, February 20th, Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Eating Away at Food Waste. $15. Register

6 pm Thursday, February 20th, Wild Ones virtual event: Bees Beyond Honey- Understanding Native and Managed Pollinators. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, February 20th, Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Identifying Tracks in the Snow. Register

7:30 am to Noon Friday, February 21st, Grow Native! Southwest Illinois Workshop at Lewis & Clark Community College, Edwardsville, Illinois: Stormwater Challenges & Native Plant Solutions. $25 for MPF members and Grow Native! professional members, $15 for students with a valid student ID, and $30 for non-members. Includes breakfast. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, February 21st, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Belleville, Illinois: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Stewardship Day. Register

23 Tickets remaining. 1 pm Friday, February 21st, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Dragonflies in Missouri. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, February 22nd Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Edwardsville, Illinois: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 9 am Saturday, February 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department event at Dresser Island Conservation Area, West Alton, Missouri: Dresser Island Hike. Register

26 Seats remaining. 10 am Saturday, February 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department event Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Backyard Birds. Register

1 pm Sunday, February 23rd, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Rainscaping. $15. Register

6:30 pm February 24th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Plastics, Petrochemicals, and Communities on the Frontlines presented by Shiv Srivastana, Fenceline Watch. Register

February 26-28 Missouri Community Forestry Council’s ISA Certified Arborist Exam Preparation Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. $75. Register

9:30 am to 2 pm February 26th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Advocacy Day in Jefferson City. Register

11 am February 26th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Owls of Missouri. Register

4 pm February 26th Missouri Prairie Foundation webinar: Horizon II- One Part Wildlife, One Part Ecosystem Services, and One Part Renewable Energy. Register

6:30 pm February 26th Mid-Continent Library Kansas City Zoom class: Sap to Syrup. Learn the basics of tree selection, collection, and processing as the equipment needed to turn watery sap into delicious syrup. Register 

6 pm February 27th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class:  Mighty Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of Missouri. Register

6 pm February 28th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Nature at Night, How Lights Affect Ecosystems. Register

8 am March 1st St. Louis Audubon Society event at Forest Park: Beginner Bird Walk. Register

9 am to Noon March 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Annual Garage Sale

10 am March 1st Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Reflections vs Reality- Mitigating Bird Collisions. Learn why window collisions happen, the best strategies to prevent them. Register

1 pm March 1st St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Lore and Legend of Herbs with St. Louis Herb Society

3 pm March 1st St. Louis County Library event at Thornhill Branch: Grow Together: Gardening Tips & Techniques

9 Seats remaining. 5 pm March 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Worms at Work & DIY Composting Bins. Supplies provided. Register

6:30 pm March 3rd Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Effects of Oil Spills on Birds presented by Ben West, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Register

1:30 pm March 4th University of Illinois Extension webinar: Root Awakening- Spring Tree Tips. Register

March 5th University of Illinois Extension’s Gateway Green Conference at Collinsville, Illinois: Building Sustainable Landscapes, Conservation Stewardship, Tree Care. Fee applies.

9 am March 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Bulb Walk with horticulturist. $5. Register

10 am March 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

12:30 pm March 5th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Rain Gardens and Native Plants. Register

2 pm March 5th St. Louis County Library Virtual Workshop: Native Garden Design Panel Discussion. Register

2 pm March 5th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Native Garden Design Panel Discussion. Register

March 7th-8th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Plant & Merch Sales, Speakers/Workshops. 1 1/2 hour from St. Louis.

9 am March 8th Seed St. Louis March Plant Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell: Potatoes, Onions, Strawberries, Asparagus, more

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 8th Great Rivers Greenway North Riverfront Park Mulching Day. Register

3:30 pm March 7th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Native Plants- Wild for Seeds. Naturalist Jordi Raos will discuss some important factors for success when it comes to native plants and seeds. Register

Noon to 2 pm March 8th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Seed Swap at Hayner Public Library, Alton, Illinois. Bring your quality seeds, seedlings, cuttings, and bulbs to swap with fellow farmers and gardeners. Nothing to swap, not a problem.

11 am March 8th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens February 8th

6:30 pm March 10th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Plastics and Public Health: the unsettling latest in medical research presented by Megan Wolff, Beyond Plastics. Register

1- 4 pm March 11th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum horticulture class: Formal and Natural Garden Design Class. Register

9 am March 12th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Bulb Walk with horticulturist. $5. Register

5-7 pm March 12th Seed St. Louis Young Friends Happy Hour at 2nd Shift Brewing, The Hill

6 pm March 12th St. Louis Public Library event at Carpenter Library:  Welcoming Native Species into Your Garden. Registration opens 10 am February 12th.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 13th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

Noon March 13th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Organic Gardening. Register

6 pm March 13th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collectiveclass at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good To Waste Series- Composting 101. $15. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 14th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

7 pm March 14th Heartlands Conservancy Full Moon Hike at Bohm Woods State Nature Preserve in Edwardsville, Illinois. Register

2 pm March 15th St. Louis Public Library event at Divoll Library: Seed Swap

1 pm March 16th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Urban Gardening. $15. Register

6:30 pm March 17th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Missouri Water Policy- history and current legislation presented by Mary Culler, Missouri Stream Teams United. Register

10 am March 19th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5. Register

2 pm March 19th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Monarchs and Mosquitoes – Control the Pests, Protect the Pollinators. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 21st Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Belleville, Illinois: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Stewardship Day. Register

March 22nd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Fox Trot 5K and Kit Crawl 10K Run/Walk Fundraiser. Register

9 am to Noon March 22nd Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 22nd Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Pontoon Beach, Illinois: Arlington Wetlands Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

1 pm March 22nd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Critical for Gardening- Get the Dirt on Soil, Missouri Botanical Gardens Master Gardener Speakers Bureau

6:30 pm March 24th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act- history, applications, and current status presented by Sarah Kendrick, US Fish & Wildlife Service. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 29th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

1 pm March 30th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Knowing & Growing the Native Garden. $15. Register

1-4:30 pm March 30th Wild & Scenic Film Festival at The Blue Note, Columbia MO

2 pm April 2nd Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Transforming Vacant Lots into Neighborhood Greenspaces. Register

8 am to 4 pm April 5th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

9 am April 5th Seed St. Louis Spring Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 5th Forest ReLeaf event at Old St. Marcus Cemetery: Christy Greenway Tree Planting. Register

April 6th & 7th Baker Creek Tulip Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

7 am to 5 pm April 12th Veterans Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon MO

8 am to 4 pm April 12th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

9 am April 12th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles presented by Bo Brown. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 12th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

10 am April 12th Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park Mo. $12 entry fee

11 am April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: For the Birds. Learn about planting beautiful, bird-friendly plants, and providing supplemental food, water, and shelter.

1 pm April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Pest Control with Herbs. Register

10 am to 2 pm April 13th Riverlands Native Plant Festival at West Alton, Missouri: Speakers, workshops, native plant giveaway for attendees volunteering for sand prairie planting at event

8 am to 4 pm April 19th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

9 am to Noon April 22nd Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

11 am April 12th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens March 15th

2 pm April 16th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Pollinator Powerhouses and Keystone Plant Species. Register

6 pm April 24th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Mushrooms. Register

6 pm April 24th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Outdoor Composting: Bins and Tumblers. $15. Register

9 am to 4 pm April 25th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden parking lot.

8 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

April 26th Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale

10 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri River Bird Observatory Birds, Bees & Blooms Festival at Arrow Rock, Missouri. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis and a 1 1/2 hour drive from Kansas City.

2 pm April 30th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Oh, Deer – Dealing with Unwanted Guests in Your Landscape. Register

6 pm May 1st St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Plant Predators- An Introduction to Carnivorous Plants with Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

19 Seats remaining. 10 am May 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Tomatoes 101. Register

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Meet the Pack: Animals of the Endangered Wolf Center

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Growing Herbs in Containers.

May 4th-5th Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

May 8th-9th Jeanette Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Spring Plant Sale at Washington University

3 pm May 8th St. Louis Public Library event at Baden Library: Mocktails and Garden Party. enjoy refreshing mocktails while crafting your own potted plant to take home.

9 am May 10th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling & Sweet Potato Slip Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

May 10th Flora Conservancy Plant Sale @ Greenhouse, Forest Park – no link yet

9 am to Noon May 10th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm May 10th St. Louis Hosta Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

11 am May 10th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens April 12th

9 am to 5 pm May 11th Greater St. Louis Iris Society Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Included with Garden Admission Fee.

5 pm May 15th St. Louis Public Library event at Walnut Park Library: Wild Hearts- Understanding Animal Behavior in the Wild with St. Louis Zoo

9 am to 5 pm May 17th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

2 pm May 21st Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Cultivating Native Seeds in the Landscape. Register

8 am to 4 pm May 24th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

9 am to 5 pm May 24th-25th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

May 31st Urban Gardening Symposium at Brightside St. Louis Demonstration Garden. $10. Register

8 am to 4 pm May 31st Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

1 pm June 14th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Herbs in the Civil War!

9 am to Noon June 21st Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm June 21st Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

June 21-22 St. Louis Water Garden Society Pond-A-Rama tour. Tickets

9 am to 5 pm August 2nd-3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

Noon to 5 pm August 10th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Admission Fee applies. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am August 16th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

9 am to Noon August 16 Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm August 16th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm September 6th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

2 pm September 17th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Missouri Native Trees and Shrubs for Urban Landscapes. Register

10 am to 2 pm September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Expo at Tower Grove Park. Missouri Wildflower Nursery and other vendors will be selling but you can also order plants for pick up at the event.

9 am to Noon September 27th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

2 pm October 1st Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: St. Louis Native Plants in a Changing Climate. Register

October 3rd-5th Best of Missouri Market at Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is usually a vendor and this is last opportunity to purchase native plants in St. Louis City for the year. Admission Fee applies.

October 5th-6th Baker Creek Fall Harvest Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

2 pm October 15th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Native Gardening Maintenance Tips, Tricks and Hacks. Register

9 am October 18th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

Join us Sundays on Bluesky for #GardenSunday.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis

Plan your garden with 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Garden Contest

Check out the Butterfly Gardens at St. Louis Public Library branches

If you are only looking for St. Louis Area (Missouri and Illinois) Plant Sales & Swaps, here’s a page for them.

June 20th Deadline for your community organization to apply for Brightside St. Louis Neighbors Naturescaping Program to beautify a public or not-for-profit space, restore Missouri native plant communities, attract beneficial wildlife (butterflies, bees, birds), reduce stormwater runoff and protect drinking water

July 15th Deadline to nominate a tree steward for Missouri Conservation Department Arbor Award of Excellence

August 31st Deadline to Enter Missouri Conservation Department’s Busch Conservation Area (St. Charles Mo) Wildlife Photography Contest. Submit photos of native Mo wildlife, trees, plants at Busch Conservation Area or Weldon Spring Conservation Area.

September 1st Deadline to Enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photography Contest. Submit photos of Natural Resources, Unique Places (state parks, historic sites), People Enjoying Outdoors

Good Reads/Views —

(YouTube)Tomato Trellising: 4 Methods (Seed St. Louis)

Dealing with Squash Bugs in a No Spray Garden and Advice on Squash Bugs from Missouri Botanical Garden

(YouTube) Native Species Spotlight: Dragonflies. How to attract Dragonflies: Install a water feature at least 2 ft deep, Add submerged plant, emergent plants & floating plants to aid dragonflies throughout their life cycle, Include native plants such as water lilies & irises. (Wild Ones)

University of Missouri launches 5 year climate-smart farming projects with $25M in Federal funds (Columbia Missourian)

Mo communities divided over spreading meatpacking sludge. “Turner is a member of a local activist group, Citizens of Randolph County Against Pollution, or CRAP, which filed a lawsuit that prevented Denali from filling the lagoon.” (Columbia Missourian, Missouri Independent)

Retired Missouri conservation director plans to enjoy the areas she oversaw (St. Louis Public Radio)

Tornadoes shifting east in the U.S., study finds, putting more people at risk. Researchers have pointed to parts of the Deep South and Tennessee Valley as being the modern-day Tornado Alley. Gift article. (Washington Post)

(YouTube) Missouri Botanical Garden Corpse Flower Cam

Container Gardening Tips
Native Plants: Grow Native!
Veggies: Missouri Botanical Garden
5 Tips For Successfully Growing Plants In Containers: P. Allen Smith

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees,  Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant,  Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events

Day Trip for Lavender: It’s You Pick season at Missouri’s largest lavender farm- Battlefield Lavender in Centralia, Boone County

1:30 pm Tuesday University of Illinois Extension Online Class: Understanding and Supporting Lady Beetles in Illinois. Register

5:30-7:30 pm Tuesday, June 11th, Missouri Coalition for the Environment Chats for Change at MCE office, University City. Sounds like a happy hour for environmentalists and conservationists. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, June 11th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club June Speaker at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: Our  Wetlands Cooperative in Metroeast presented by Dr. Jenny Mullikin, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Register

For Ages 4-12. 2 pm Wednesday, June 12th, St. Louis County Library event at Samuel C. Sachs Branch: Garden Adventure- decorate a pot and plant a flower or vegetable to take home. Register

2:30 pm Wednesday, June 12th, St. Louis County Library class at Florissant Valley Branch: Cooking with Herbs. Presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

5:30 pm Wednesday, June 12th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. Register.

6 pm Thursday, June 13th, St. Louis City Public Library event at Buder Library: Urban HomesteadingComposting 101

2 pm Friday, June 13th, St. Louis County Library class at Thornhill Branch: Cooking with Herbs. Presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

6:30 pm Friday, June 14th, event at The Garden Shop on Hampton: Sip & Soil, an evening of painting, planting, cocktail making. $35. Register

9 am to 5 pm Saturday, June 15th, Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am Saturday, June 15th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

10 am and 11:30 am Saturday, June 15th, Missouri Botanical Garden event: Sentimental Symbols of the Garden Tour. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

7:30 pm Saturday, June 15th, St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

Noon June 17th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Folklore of Birds. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 19th Missouri Botanical Garden Juneteenth at the Garden: Ethiopian Book Binding presentation, Pot-A-Plant, “In the Garden with Dr. Carver,” more. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am June 20th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Water for the Garden. Register

For Kids 0-7 years. 10:30 am June 20th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Twinkle Firefly. Register

For Kids 7-14 years. 2 pm June 20th St. Louis County Library event at Oak Bend Branch: Summer Science- Explore the science of plants with guided, hands-on activities and experiments. Register

6 pm June 20th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Vermicomposting, aka Worm Composting. $12. Register

6:30 pm June 20th St. Louis County Library class at Mid-County Branch: Harvesting & Preserving Herbs. Presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

7 pm June 20th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Folklore of Birds Part 2. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 22nd Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale, Jefferson County Mo

9 am to to 5 pm June 22-23 St. Louis Water Garden Society Pond-O-Rama Tour

10 am to 3 pm June 22nd University of Missouri Extension Butterfly Festival at Jefferson Farm & Garden, Columbia MO

1 pm June 22nd St. Louis City Public Library event at Buder Library: Urban HomesteadingChicken Tending 101

12 Seats remaining. 8 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Area, Kirkwood: Owl Prowl. Register

11 am to 1 pm June 23rd Piasa Sierra Club event at La Vista Park, Godfrey, IL: Pollinator Party. Register

2 pm June 25th St. Louis County Library class at Eureka Hills Branch: Cooking with Herbs. Presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register.

6:30 June 28th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center: Planting Native, presented by horticulturist Scott Woodbury + tour of the native plant gardens at the nature center. Register

June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

6 pm July 2nd St. Louis County Library Indoor Plant Swap at Prairie Commons Branch

2 pm July 6th St Louis County Library In-Person Class at Mid-County Branch: Planning Your Tea Garden. Register

July 20st-22nd Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society Cactus & Succulent Sale, St. Louis County

1 pm June 29th St. Louis City Publiuc Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading- Advanced Chicken Tending

2 pm July 11th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Fall Gardening. Register

7:30 pm July 13th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

6 pm July 18th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Compost Tumblers. $12. Register

7 Tickets remaining. 10 am to 2 pm July 20th Missouri Department of Conservation Camp Hellbender, Summer Camp for Adults at Tower Grove Park: learn tree ID and put new skills to the test on a tree ID geocaching adventure. After lunch, learn about native plants and insects and do a flower pounding craft. Register

6 pm July 29th St. Louis County Library & Left Banks Book author event at Clark Family Branch: Nature Writer Amy Stewart, Author of “The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession.” Register

9 am to 5 pm August 3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Iris Sale at at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

6 pm August 15th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Bokashi . $12. Register

9 am to 5 pm August 17th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10-11:30 am August 17th Homegrown Hot Sauce Class with Urban Harvest’s Chef Queenie at Rung, Fox Park. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 18th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission fee required.

August 24th Soulard’s Art in the Garden Tour fundraiser for Beautification Committee, Soulard Restoration Group

3-7 pm September 6th Shaw Nature Reserve Fall Wildflower Market

9 am to 5 pm September 7th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

September 13th, 14th, 15th Kirkwood Greentree Festival at Kirkwood Park. Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society sells Daffodil bulbs at this event.

6 pm September 19th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Static Systems . $12. Register

9 am to 5 pm September 28th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Expo at Tower Grove Park

October 5th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.